Mama na mwana

He may be a cheeky monkey but this macaque's mother looks every inch the proud parent as her baby blows her a raspberry.

The mischievous monkey was playing around in the treetops of Ubud's famed Monkey Forest, on the island of Bali, when professional photographer Zak Noyle just happened to be passing by with his camera.

By chance Mr Noyle caught the split second when the baby crab-eating macaque flashed his mum the rude gesture - and her resulting expression.

Surf photographer Mr Noyle, 26, from Hawaii, has been taking photos professionally for the last five years and captured the scene while on one of his many travel assignments.

He explained how he and some friends had stumbled upon the family scene while wandering through the world-renowned nature reserve and temple complex on the island, which houses approximately 340 crab-eating macaque monkeys.

Mr Noyle said: 'There were monkeys all around and this little scene just reminded me of any parent with their child.

'For one little moment, it was a reminder of how human they are.'

The forest is a popular tourist attraction in Ubud, and is visited by over 10,000 tourists a month.

Mr Noyle added: 'That day, I had just been snapping away and it was only later that I saw the shot and this special moment I had managed to capture.

'It reminded me of my own mother and how me and my sister used to be when we were kids. I imagine the mother has asked the kid to do something and the kid has stuck his tongue out when he thinks the mum isn't looking but then she's caught him.

'It's a lovely shot and I was just happy to be able to capture it in such a beautiful and peaceful part of the world.'

The Monkey Forest is owned by the village of Padangtegal and village members serve on the Monkey Forest's governing council.

The Padangtegal Wenara Wana Foundation manages the Monkey Forest and serves to maintain its sacred integrity and to promote the site as a destination for visitors.